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Agbonlahor: Steven Gerrard has sent 'message' to Aston Villa board - he wants Douglas Luiz out
Steven Gerrard knows Douglas Luiz is not good enough for Aston Villa and is sending a message with his team selection, according to Gabby Agbonlahor.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Aston Villa’s record Premier League goalscorer claimed Luiz does not win the ball back enough to be a part of Gerrard’s team going forward.
Centre-back Calum Chambers and 18-year-old Tim Iroegbunam have both operated in a defensive midfield role in recent weeks before Marvelous Nakamba returned to the side for the 2-1 defeat to Liverpool on Tuesday (10 May).
Luiz, who turned 24 on Monday (9 May), has been utilised in a more advanced role and scored his side’s goal in the defeat to Liverpool.
Villa are vulnerable to losing the Brazil international with his contract set to expire at the end of next season.
Asked what he made of Gerrard’s recent selections in midfield, Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “What it shows is Douglas Luiz is on the way out.
“I don’t think he’s the answer. He’s a good player but he’s not going to take Aston Villa to where they want to go.
“Gerrard will understand he needs a defensive midfielder who can win the ball back. Douglas Luiz doesn’t do that effectively, he’s not very good at tackling.
“It’s maybe a message to the board. I’ve got a youngster, an 18-year-old in Tim, but I need a defensive midfielder really.
“That’s the difference. If you put a Declan Rice or Kalvin Phillips in that role for Aston Villa it would make a big difference.”
Luiz has played 31 Premier League games for Aston Villa this term, including 28 starts.
He has featured in 108 matches across all competitions for the club since his move from Man City in the summer of 2019.
In other news, Kieran Maguire has shredded Aston Villa’s owners after an ignorant announcement and ‘it looks bad’.